'Music helps heal people's mind, soul'
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Bai Il-hwan, founder of Beautiful Mind Charity
By Choo Sung-ho
Bai Il-hwan, 48, a cellist said music has the power to bring happiness to both listeners and performers.
“Music may not save the world but I am sure that it can heal people’s mind and soul,” he said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.
Bai, also a professor at Ewha Womans University, set up a philanthropic organization, Beautiful Mind Charity (BMC), in 2006 to share love with socially neglected people by using music as a tool.
In 2007, BMC officially launched its operation as an affiliate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Currently, about 20 musicians who teach classical and Korean traditional music at universities are members of BMC. They donate their musical talents for disabled and socially neglected students.
“Having a partnership with the Chungmu Art Hall, BMC’s distinguished musicians offer a free music lesson for neglected children to find their talents in music,” Bai said.
Last year, three students from BMC’s music academy got admissions to Seoul Art High School, one of the best music schools in Korea. One of the students was a chronic asthmatic. As part of its cultural promotion projects, BMC holds many charity music concerts in many foreign countries as well.
Professional musicians both with and without disabilities perform at the concert to raise funds for its local communities.
“We usually visit a local orphanage, a church or a school to meet people who are unable to receive a proper music education,” Bai said.
“Proceeds from the charity concerts go directly to the local community to help them. It is just amazing that Korea transformed itself from an aid recipient to a donor now,” he added.
This June, BMC is set to hold a big concert at the United Nations Trusteeship Council Chamber, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Participating in volunteer programs with Korean social organizations such as the multicultural family center and the disability service center are one of the other ways of BMC uses to express its love. BMC’s supporters and members volunteer at the centers or orphanages once a month to provide its continued support.
“I was often told that I am doing a great job, helping others and putting efforts for a better society. But the truth is, it is opposite from what they said. It seems like I am helping others but I feel I am being helped by them,” he said. “Serving others with my talent is a gift. I want to continue running the organization as long as I am healthy.”